Flushing-trap.



C. A. DUNHAM.

FLUSHING TRAP.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 5. 1914.

Patented Nov. 23, 1915.

; ears an Winn.

GLAYTON A. DUNHAM, 0F MARSHALLTOWN, IOWA, ASSI'GNOR T0 C. A. DUNHAIVII COMPANY; 0E MARSHALLTOWN, IOWA;

FLU SHIN G-T-RAP.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 23; 1915.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, CLAYTON A. DUNHAM, a citizen of the United States, residing at Marshalltown, in the county of Marshall and State of Iowa, have invented new and useful Improvements in Flushing-Traps, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates in general to traps o1 controllers designed to be used in connection with steam heating systems, to permit the discharge of the, water of condensation and air from a system and at the same time restrict the passage of steam therefrom.

The invention is illustrated in the drawings as applied to a traphaving an expand ing member on the discharge side of the trap, that is designed to be used for high pressure work.

The invention is not limited however in its use to traps of that character, but may also be applied when desired to a trap wherein the expanding member is placed on the inlet side of the trap, and to traps used for a different class of work.

Large quantities of oil and foreign matter are liable to accumulate in a trap used for hip'h pressure work and thereby prevent efficient operation of the trap. To overcome such conditions, it is necessary either to take the trap apart and clean it, or to provide means for raising the valve farther away from its seat and allow steam to blow through the trap and clean the foreign matter from off the valve seat and other parts of the trap.

Means have heretoforebeen used for that general purpose consisting of an adjusting member protruding through the cap of the trap as is shown in Letters Patent issued to me, Sept. 8, 1907, No. 865,171. That con struction makes it possible to raise the expanding member and carry the valve connected therewith far enough from the valve seat to allow the steam to blow freely through the valve casing. andvalve seat, and thereby clear the foreignLmatter from oh the valve seat and other parts ofthe'trap. But the difficulty experienced in such construe:- tion lies in the fact that inexperienced 013'- erat'ors are unable to set theexpanding member and valve back to its proper working position so as to normally permit tll' Wttter of condensation to. pass?througliifreelyr and the sametime rennet"- tlre assage of steam. In traps used for high pressure work, moreover. it has not been found practical to permanently set the expanding member and valve so as to respond to variations of temperature 01'' the water and steam within as wide mediums as would be possible were the expanding member on the inlet side of the trap surrounded by the pressure. Hence it becomes necessary at times to readjust the position of the expanding member and the valve relatively to its seat when the traps are being installed in a heating system.

. This invention has for its principal obje'cts therefore, to provide means for readily permitting the valve to be adjusted to meet the requirements of the particular heating system to which the trap is to be applied, and also to enable the valve to be withdrawn from its seat when occasion requires so as to allow the steam to blow freely through tlieca sinjg andvalve seat, to remove oil and other foreign matter therefrom, and at the same time prevent an inexperienced person from changing the position of the valve relatively to its seat when the trap is-inuse. These objects are accomplished by the means illustrated in the accompanying drawings which are designed to show one of the modes in which the invention may be embodied for actual; use.

In the drawings in which similar characters of reference indicate similar parts throughout the several'views, Figure 1 is a vertical centralsection of a trap embodying my invention, the expanding member, valve, and valve connections being shown in side elevation. Fig. 2 is a horizontal section taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1 partly broken away, Fig. 3 is a horizontal section taken on the line 33 of Fig. l, and Fig.

4 is a. horizontal section taken on the line of Fig. l;

The body or casin'g of the trap may be of any suitable construction, and as illustrated in the. drawings is comprised of two members or sections detachably connected to gether. The lower section is provided with an outlet 1 and an inlet 2, the inlet and outlet beingboth preferably threaded'to receive pipe, connections. A bridge 3 is formed "inthe' lower section of the casing and providerlwith a valve. opening and valve-seat trbracitet 6 is these formed.

on the bridge 3 and is provided with a longitudinal aperture to receive and guide a valve stem 7. The valve stem projects downward from a valve 8 that is adapted to bear on the valve seat 5, and the valve is connected with an expanding member by a loose j ointed connection. That connection as shown in the drawings consists of a head 9 freely connected with a socket 10, the socket being fixedly attached to the expanding member 11. The valve may be provided with lips 12, if desired, to hold the head 9 of the valve stem properly within the socket 10. The expanding member 11 as shown, consists of corrugated plates connected at their outer edge to form aninterior chamber adapted to hold volatile liquids that may be expanded by steam entering the interior of the casing and thereby close the valve 5 down on its seat 8. When the vapors within theexpanding member have been recondensed into liquid form by'the water of condensation, the expanding member contracts and raises the valve from its seat so as to permit the water of condensation to pass through. After the water of condensation and air have passed through the valve opening, steam again enters the trap and the member 11 is again expanded and the valve closed on its seat, and those operations are repeated alternately while the device is in use.

Theconstruction of the lower section or member of the body of the trap, the valve, expanding member, and their connection with each other, are not of themselves of the essence of the invention herein described. Other corresponding elements having similar capabilities may be used without departing from"my invention. The upper section of the casing as illustrated, is provided with a flange 13 having a threaded engagement with a corresponding flange l-ft formed on the lower member of the casing. A packing ring 15 may be arranged between the upper and lower section of the casing so as to make a tight joint between them. The upper section of thetrap casing is provided with an outer tubular extension 16 and with an inner hub 17. The inner hub 17- is threaded interiorly to engage corresponding threads formed on opposite sides 18of a stud 19 that is attached to the expanding member 11. In that way the expanding member and valve connected therewith, are mounted upon the interior of the casing and the valve adapted-to be raised or lowered relative to its seat by rotating the stud 19 in its threaded bearing in the hub 17 The side walls 20 of the stud are engaged by the fork ends 21 of an'adjusting stem 22. As the stem 22 is rotated its forked end will rotate the stud 19 and the expanding member 11 and raise or lower the valve relatively to the valve seat The adjusting stem 22 is preferably provided with a flange 23 that bears on a ring of packing 21 arranged between said flange and a shoulder formed on the upper part of the hub 17 to make a tight joint between the interior of the casing and the interior of the cylindrical extension 16. A spring 25 is mounted upon the flange 23 at its lower end and its upper end bears against a ring or washer 26 so as to normally press the flange 23 against the ring of packing 2 and keep the packing in a compressed condition.

The upper end of the cylindrical extension 16 is provided with an interior thread 27 having vertical recesses 28 cut transversely of said threads as clearly shown in Fig. 3. A plate or washer 26 is provided on its outer edge with small projections 29 that engage the recesses 28 and prevent the washer 26 from turning in its bearing on the extension 16. A ring 30 is mounted upon the washer 26 and is also provided with projections 31 which similarly engage the recesses 28 of the extension 16 of the casing to prevent that ring from turning. The ring 30 is also provided with a lip 32 projecting inward. A ring 33 supported upon the washer 26 is provided interiorly with teeth 34: that engage corresponding teeth formed on the upper end of the stem 22. The ring 33 is also provided with a lip 35 the function of which is to come in contact with the lip 32 of the ring 30 and limit the rotary movement of the ring 33 and the stem 22 to which the ring 33 is attached. A washer 36 similar to the washer 26, is mounted upon the top of the rings 30 and 33 and provided with projections that engage the recesses 28 formed in the upper end of the extension 16 to prevent the washer 36 from turning in its bearing. The washer 26, rings 30 and 33, and washer 36, are held in position within the extension 16 and clamped together by means of a nut 37 provided with an exterior thread engaging the interior thread of the extension 16 by means of which the nut is locked in position. The nut 37 is also provided interiorly with teeth 38 arranged vertically on the inner side of the nut to engage corresponding teeth formed on a master handle that may be used to insert or release the nut 37 when desired. a

By means of the toothed connection between the stem 22 and the ring 33, the rotary movement of the stem 22 is limited to less than one revolution of the stem. But in consequence of the sliding connection between the teeth of the adjusting stem and the teeth of the ring 33, the stem 22 is adapted to be moved longitudinally to a. limited extent so as to free the teeth of the adjusting stem 22 from engagement with the teeth of the inner ring 33. When that is done the stem 22 and threaded stud may be rotated to the required extent so as to set the valve to any desired point relatively to its seat. The longitudinal movement or adjustment of the stem 22 is produced by pulling out- Ward on the stem 22 by means of a handle connected with a plate 41 that is secured to the stem 22 by means of a screw 42. The plate 41 is also provided with teeth 43 formed interiorly on a hub 40 that engage cor responding teeth 34 formed on the upper end of the stem 22; the purpose of said toothed connection being to enable the stem 22 to be turned by turning the plate 41 and the handle connected therewith and to permit the plate 6 1 to be disconnected from the stem 22 when the screw 42 is removed. The plate 41 may be connected with a handle 44 by means of screws 45 which may also be used to fasten a name plate 46 on said handle when desired.

When the device is assembled, the valve is set at the distance from its seat that is thought to be best adapted to permit the free discharge of water of condensation and air, at the same time restricting the escape of steam. If, when tested for adjustment, it is found that the water of condensation passes through the valve but does not all pass through, indicating that the valve is too close to the seat when the temperature rises, the tester pulls outward on the handle 44: against the tension of the spring 25 suiiicient to disengage the teeth on the upper end of the stem 22 from the teeth of the ring 33. The handle 44: and stem 22 will then be free to be rotated. If the handle 4% be turned counter-clockwise, the lower or forked end of the stem 22 that grips the partially threaded stud 18 will then partially turn the stud l8 and draw said stud farther inward into the hub 17, thereby carrying the expansion member 11 and the valve in that same direction, and raising the valve farther away from its seat.

When the valve has been properly adjusted relative to its seat, the pull on the handle 44 is released and the tension of the spring 25 will then draw the adjusting stem 22 inward, bringing the teeth of the upper end of said adjusting stem again into engagement with the teeth of the ring 33 and again placing the adjusting stem in its original position, having but a limited rotary movement of less than one revolution of said stem. The same method of adjustment of the valve may be used when testing the trap at the factory for general use, or when adj usting the trap to meet the requirements of any particular installation.

l Vhen the trap is in use and it is found that oil or other foreign matter has collected in the trap sufficient to interfere with its proper operation, the valve may be temporarily removed farther away from its seat sufficient to allow the stem to blow through and clean the trap of such oil or other foreign matter by merely turning the handleldcounter-clockwise as far as it will go, that is, a little less than one complete turn. By so doing the stem 22 and the stud 18 controlled by the stem 22 are partially rotated, moving the stud 18 farther into the hub 17 and raising the expansion member 11 and valve 8, thereby moving the valve far enough away from its seat for the steam to blow through and clear the trap and valve seat of all foreign matter. After that is done, the operator then turns the handle 44:

back as far as it will go clockwise fashion,

rotating the stem 22 and stud, 18 in an opposite direction, thereby lowering the expansion member 11 and the valve so that the valve will then be in its proper normal position. The rotation of the handle &4: and

stem 22 is limited when moving either in counter-clockwise or clockwise direction by means of the lip 35 of the ring 33 coming in contact with the lip 32 of the ring 30.

A trap constructed in the manner de scribed is provided with means for adjusting the valve in two different ways, one a general adjustment for setting the valve properlyrelative to its seat to accommodate the services for which the trap is to be used,

the other a limited adjustment for temporarily removing the valve away from its seat to allow steam to blow through and clean out the valve opening and the interior of the trap. And the invention comprehends means substantially like those herein illustrated and described, or other means having similar capabilities and functions.

The trap may be made to fill the requirements of a lock and shield valve that is operated only by a key in the hands of some one authorized and experienced in adjusting devices of that kind. That may be accomplished by removing the handle 44: and base plate 41, out of reach of the inexperienced operator. In that case the adjustment of the trap for the purpose of flushing the trap or otherwise, cannot be accomplished except by calling upon the engineer in charge of the system to make such change and adjustment as circumstances require.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a trap, the combination of a casing an expansible member adjustably mounted on said casing, a valve connected with said expansible member, an adjusting stem having a sliding connection with said expansible member at one end and provided with teeth at its other end, a ring provided with teeth engaging the teeth of said stem, and means for limiting the rotary movement of said 2%111 a trap, the combination of a casing an expansible member adjustably mounted on said casing, a valve connected with. said expansible member, an adjusting stem havin g a sliding connection with said expansible member at one end and provided with teeth at the other end, and means for engaging said. teeth to limit the rotary movement of said stem.

3. In a trap, the combination of a casing an eXpansible member adjustably connected with said casing, a valve connected with said expansible member, an adjusting stem adapted to rotate said expansible member and having a sliding connection therewith at one end and provided with teeth on its other end, a ring provided with inner teeth engaging he teeth of said stem, and an outer'ring adapted to limit the movement of the inner ring.

4. In a trap, the combination of a casing, having a cylindrical extension, an expansible member adjustably mounted on said casing, a valve connected with said expansible member, a ring secured to the interior of said extension and provided with an inwardly extending lip, an inner ring provided with a lip adapted to contact with the lip of saidfirst named ring, and provided with an interior thread, means for holding said rings in position, and a valve adjusting stem provided on one end-With teeth engaging the teeth of said inner rlng, said stem having a limited longitudinal movement independently of said inner ring.

5. In a trap, the combination of a casing, having a cylindrical extension, an expansible member adjustablv mounted on said casing, a valve connected with said expansible member, a valve adjusting stem having a limited longitudinal movement and provided with teeth on one end, a ring having teeth engaging the teeth of said stem, means for limiting the rotary movement of said ring, and means for holding said ring in position.

6. In a trap, the combination of a casing,

having a cylindrical extension, an eXpansible member adjustably mounted on said casing, a valve connected with said expansible member, a valve adjusting stem having a limited longitudinal movement and provided on one end with teeth, a ring provided with teeth engaging the teeth of said stem, means for limiting the rotary movement of said ring, a handle secured to said stem and provided with means for holding said handle against rotarv movement independently of said stem.

CLAYTON A. DUNHAM. IVitnesses ISADORE FINKLER, ROBERT W. HARDIE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

